Art Works Podcast

We’re closing out Arab-American Heritage Month with author Diana Abu-Jaber who discusses growing up with an Irish-American mother and a Jordanian father who never felt at home in the US, the lively tensions between cultures, and the centrality of this to her writing. We discuss her two memoirs, "The Language of Baklava" and "Life Without a Recipe." She describes the impact her father and grandmother had on her life and how their contrasting personalities were reflected in their approaches to food: Diana's father was a passionate and improvisational cook, while her grandmother was a precise baker. Abu-Jaber discusses the challenges of writing memoirs, the emotional risks involved in sharing personal stories, and how she navigated the difficult topic of her larger-than-life’s father's death. We turn to a discussion of her latest novel, "Fencing with the King," and Diana reveals that the story was inspired by her father's experience of fencing with King Hussein of Jordan and her family's history of displacement. Diana reflects on the growth of Arab-American literature and the increasing prominence of Arab-American writers in contemporary culture. We also discuss the similarities between cooking and writing and how food, like literature, can serve as a bridge between cultures

We’re celebrating National Poetry Month with 2021 NEA Literature Fellow, poet Leslie Sainz who discusses her debut poetry collection, "Have You Been Long Enough at Table." Sainz reads from her collection and talks about its major themes including the ambiguity, displacement, and impact of cultural heritage as a daughter of Cuban immigrants.She discusses the variety of poetic forms used in her collection, allowing form to be guided by the emotional and thematic demands of her work. Sainz also talks about the impact of receiving a 2021 NEA Literature Fellowship for Poetry on her career and the validation it provided and offers advice to other poets and writers, especially regarding the NEA fellowship application process. Sainz also discusses her involvement as a judge in the NEA's Poetry Out Loud competition and shares her experiences from organizing regional competitions to judging the national semifinalsand her appreciation for the performative and memorization components that enhance both the understanding and the emotional experience of poetry. She also gives us a glimpse into her upcoming project, tentatively titled "I Believe in Evil and Evil Believes in You," exploring new thematic territories and expanding her creative boundaries. And, on April 17, the day after our conversation, Leslie Sainz’s collection , "Have You Been Long Enough at Table" was awarded the 2024 Audre Lorde Award for Lesbian Poetry

MacArthur Fellow and 2002 Pulitzer-Prize Winner in Drama for “Topdog/Underdog, ” Suzan-Lori Parks tells us about her current play ”Sally and Tom”* now having its NY premier at the Public Theater. It’s a play within a play about Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson and combines Parks’ love of American history and theater. We discuss the play's exploration of fraught subjects such as enslavement, sexual coercion, Black and white families living under the same roof under very different circumstances, and the paradoxes within Jefferson's life as a figure of enlightenment who owned slaves. Parks discusses how "Sally & Tom" invites audiences to engage in tough yet essential conversations about America's history and its echoes in the present-- reflected in the meta-theatrical structure of "Sally & Tom", which allows for a layered examination of history, storytelling, and the act of creation itself. She shares that her writing is not just as a form of artistic expression but is also a spiritual practice which allows her to engage with historical figures and narratives in a way that transcends traditional storytelling, inviting both creators and audiences into a space of reflection and transformation that fosters both nuanced conversations and broader implications for understanding American history. Parks also discusses her relationship with music and its intersections with her theatrical work and her personal and professional journey, from her upbringing in a military family to her initial reluctance towards theater, and how encouragement from James Baldwin led her to embrace playwriting. She reflects on the evolution of theater over the past two decades, emphasizing the essential importance of inclusivity and diversity, and the continued need for spaces that offer both entertainment and nourishing content. And she discusses her residency at the Public Theater, her artistic home that supports her experimental and innovative approach to storytelling exemplified with her on-going project Watch Me Work. Finally, I also want to say that I have been privileged -- to use, with great sincerity, an overused word-- to speak with the people I do for this podcast—I have been moved, taught, had my heart expanded and my mind stimulated by these interviews. But I have never spoken with anyone as vital or present as Suzan-Lori Parks nor with anyone who made me feel so enlivened by the conversation. It’s a pleasure to share this.

*“Sally and Tom” has been extended and will run at Public Theater through May 5.

As we’re gearing up for the 2024 NEA Jazz Masters’ tribute concert, we are revisiting my conversation with 2017 NEA Jazz Master Bassist Dave Holland. From his roots in the English working class to becoming an admired figure in the jazz world, Holland shares his musical journey, marked by a deep passion for the bass, a transformative stint with Miles Davis, and a dedication to the next generation of jazz musicians. Dave Holland discusses his initial attraction to music through the ukulele and his evolution towards the bass guitar--captivated by its rhythmic and harmonic significance and reveals how exposure to American rock, R&B, and jazz icons like Ray Brown and Leroy Vinnegar steered him towards jazz and led to his lifelong dedication to the upright bass. Holland recounts the serendipitous offer to join Miles Davis's band, a pivotal moment that introduced him to the international jazz stage and talks about his transition from band member to bandleader and composer, focusing on the necessity of dialogue and personal expression within music and the challenges and rewards of solo bass performances. Holland also discusses his educational work, aiming to connect students with jazz's rich heritage and guiding them to find their own voices within the tradition and finally reflects on his career's progression, underscoring the collaborative nature of jazz and its capacity to unify musicians across diverse backgrounds.

*The Arts Endowment in collaboration with the Kennedy Center will celebrate the 2024 NEA Jazz Masters with a free tribute concert on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 pm. The concert is free and open to the public. You can get ticket details at Kennedy-Center.org. And if you can’t make it to DC, don’t despair, the concert is available through a live webcast at arts.gov.

We’re taking a deep dive with Willard Jenkins into his life in jazz. Willard discusses his early exposure to jazz in Pittsburgh and Cleveland, crediting his parents' record collection for his initial fascination with the genre, and the profound impact local jazz scenes and radio had on his musical journey. Willard recounts his transformative college years at Kent State University, detailing how his love for jazz deepened, his early forays into jazz journalism, starting with writing for his college's Black student newspaper, and his progression from journalism including his time at the “Cleveland Plain Dealer. ” We talk about his extensive efforts in promoting jazz, from founding the Northeast Ohio Jazz Society to spearheading jazz programs at Arts Midwest and serving as the artistic director of major jazz festivals, including DC Jazz Fest which strikes a balance between local talent and international musicians while still maintaining a focus on emerging artists. Willard also reflects on his close collaboration with NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston, including co-writing Weston’s autobiography “African Rhythms.” We dive into "Ain't But a Few of Us," Willard’s book which is a compilation of interviews that share the experiences of the few African-American jazz journalists. We also hear Willard’s reflection on his years of radio broadcasting, and his contributions to oral history projects, stressing the value of capturing the stories of jazz greats. And finally, Willard reflects on his deep appreciation for receiving an award named for one his heroes: the A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Award for Advocacy.

In this special edition of Art Works, Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson and U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Santos have a far-ranging discussion that explores the intersection of arts, culture, and statistical science. Moderated by the NEA’s Director of Research and Analysis Sunil Iyengar, the two agency heads begin their conversation by mapping their journeys to the crossroads of arts and statistical science, both noting that these fields enhance each other. Chair Jackson draws from her extensive background to highlight how robust data, including Census information, serves as a critical tool for fostering meaningful dialogue and shaping community-centric policies, while Director Santos shares his personal journey through photography, emphasizing how an artful life can fuel creativity and propel scientific advancement. They explore the power of incorporating diverse cultural insights into community studies to better understand more diverse and inclusive societal landscapes. They talk about how artists can act as trusted conduits for authentic data collection and community engagement. Director Santos and Chair Jackson champion the idea of embedding artists within federal agencies, illustrating how artistic creativity can invigorate public service and communication strategies. Finally, they discuss the vast potential for their agencies to collaborate further, harnessing the arts to deepen the impact of statistical data on public understanding and policy-making.

The summit held at the Arts Endowment at the end of January was “Healing, Bridging, Thriving: Arts and Culture in Our Communities,”.

In this podcast, Amina Claudine Myers discusses her journey from the gospel choirs of Arkansas to becoming a 2024 NEA Jazz Master, highlighting her significant contributions to jazz, gospel, and blues. We discuss her early life in Blackwell, Arkansas, and Dallas, Texas, sharing stories of how family and church planted the seeds of her future in music and her transition from gospel music to discovering jazz and blues in college, detailing her growth as a musician and composer. She reflects on her time in Chicago and her involvement with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), emphasizing the impact this had on her musical direction and compositions. Myers describes her move to New York, the challenges she there, and how she found her footing through innovative performances and compositions. She discusses how she integrates jazz, gospel, and blues into her music, creating a unique sound that speaks to her diverse influences and experiences and her efforts to preserve the legacy of gospel music with Generation 4. And finally Myers shares her thoughts on being named an NEA Jazz Master.*

*The Arts Endowment in collaboration with the Kennedy Center will celebrate the 2024 NEA Jazz Masters with a free tribute concert on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 pm. The concert is free and open to the public. You can get ticket details at Kennedy-Center.org. And if you can’t make it to DC, don’t despair, the concert is available through a live webcast and radio broadcast at arts.gov.

Co-founder Kirsten Cappy introduces us to I'm Your Neighbor Books—which aims to build communities where immigrants are welcomed and feel a sense of belonging by sharing diverse immigration stories in children’s literature—and explains the collaborative roots of the organization among leaders from immigrant communities, authors, illustrators, educators, and librarians. She discusses the Welcoming Library project and how this traveling collection of children's books serves to introduce readers to the vast diversity of immigrant experiences and fosters dialogue within communities. She describes the careful curation process for the books included in the Welcoming Library and shares how they work with authors, illustrators, and community members to create engaging reading materials and discussion questions that accompany the books. And we talk about the expansion of I'm Your Neighbor Books from its origins in Portland, Maine, to states across the country.Cappy also reflects on the universal importance of storytelling in building communities and the unique ability of children's literature to serve as a bridge between cultures and generations, inspiring empathy and understanding in our communities.

We’d love to know your thoughts—email us at [email protected]. And follow us on Apple Podcasts!

BOOKS MENTIONED:

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

https://imyourneighborbooks.org/book/dreamers/

In My Mosque by M.O. Yuksel and illustrated by Hatem Aly

https://imyourneighborbooks.org/book/in-my-mosque/

I'm an American by Darshana Khiani, and illustrated by Laura Freeman.

https://imyourneighborbooks.org/book/im-an-american/

Wherever I Go byMary Wagley Copp, and illustrated byMunir D. Mohammed

https://imyourneighborbooks.org/book/wherever-i-go/

Green Card Voices Bilingual Graphic Novel Flip Books

https://imyourneighborbooks.org/book/voice-for-refuge-2/

2020 NEA Literature Fellow Danielle Evans is author of two collections of stories Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self and The Office of Historical Corrections, published ten years apart and to great acclaim. Today, we’re revisiting my 2021 interview with Danielle. In this podcast,we explore her intricate narratives that weave through the themes of history, race, and grief. Danielle shares her approach to writing, the importance of allowing stories to develop organically, and her commitment to fostering depth and cohesion in her collections. She discusses the recurring motifs in her work, including the impact of history and memory on identity, the complexities of grief, and the nuances of racial and societal dynamics.We discuss *The Office of Historical Corrections *and the titular novella which introduces an imaginative agency dedicated to correcting historical inaccuracies. Evans explains the genesis of this idea and its reflection on our contemporary struggles with truth and reconciliation. She reflects on the shifts in the publishing industry regarding diversity and representation, acknowledging progress while also pointing to the ongoing challenges in creating equitable spaces for diverse voices. And finally, Danielle shares how the NEA Literature Fellowship has supported her creative process, allowing her to research and develop her forthcoming work.

We’re revisiting my conversation with the 2021 National Heritage Fellow, Reginald “Reggio The Hoofer” McLaughlin, a master tap dancer whose feet tell stories of tradition, perseverance, and cultural heritage. In this podcast, Reggio discusses his childhood love for tap dancing sparked at community centers in Chicago, his transition from a successful career as an R&B bassist to a full-time tap dancer (and how this musical foundation influenced his tap dancing career) and his experiences busking in Chicago’s subways. He highlights the invaluable lessons and traditions passed down by his mentors, Jimmy Payne and Ernest “Brownie” Brown, and their influence on his style and teaching. Reggio shares his passion for teaching at the Old Town School of Folk Music, emphasizing the importance of connecting students with the history and joy of tap. He also recounts performing on stages around the world as part of Old Town’s international program and audience’s embrace of this American art form. He gives an inside look into the creation of "The Nut Tapper," showcasing how he blends tap with diverse cultural dance forms to celebrate the universality of dance. And reflecting on his National Heritage Fellow award, Reggio discusses the importance of recognition for artists dedicated to preserving cultural traditions.